Woman given another chance to avoid prison

October 17, 2007|By Scott Waltman, American News Writer

An Aberdeen woman trying to kick drug use was given a chance on Tuesday to stay out of prison. LeeAnn Mullner, 28, previously admitted she violated the terms of her probation by smoking marijuana. She had previous convictions for writing a check on a nonexistent account and possession of methamphetamine. The check charge is a felony punishable by as much as five years in prison. The meth charge is a felony punishable by as much as 10 years in prison. Judge Jon Flemmer told Mullner that he wouldn't send her to prison, but that if she breaks probation rules again, she will be sentenced to the maximum on both charges. Mullner was given a 10-year prison term on the meth charge and a five-year prison term on the check charge. The terms were suspended. If imposed, they will run consecutively. She must spend 90 days in county jail, five years on probation and pay more than $1,100 in restitution on the check charge as well as other outstanding fees and fines. She must also undergo chemical dependency treatment and adhere to aftercare. In court, Mullner apologized for her choices and said she is committed to a better way of life.

In other Tuesday court news involving a felony, Allen J. Cetaniyanka, 37, of Aberdeen pleaded guilty to failure to notify law enforcers of having a new address. State law requires convicted sex offenders to notify authorities of new addresses in writing within five days of moving. Failure to do so is punishable by as much as two years in prison and a $4,000 fine. Cetaniyanka was sentenced to two years in prison and a $100 fine. He was previously convicted in Utah of felony attempted sexual assault, said Lori Ehlers, deputy state's attorney for Brown County. In exchange for his guilty plea, a second charge of failure to notify was dismissed.